MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (ME) PROGRAM

Transcription

1 GRADUATE STUDENT GUIDE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (ME) PROGRAM School of Dynamic Systems Graduate Studies Committee 598 Rhodes Hall, P.O. Box COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI CINCINNATI, OHIO Revised September 1, Rev. 9/2012

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE A. Roles of the Graduate School, the Vice President of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Graduate Faculty... 3 B. Roles of School s Graduate Studies Committee C. Roles of Academic Advisor, Director of Graduate Studies, and Advisory and Examining Committee D. Purposes of Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering... 5 E. Areas of Specialization F. Program of Study... 6 G. Compliance of Guide With University Rules and Policies... 6 H. Appeal Procedure I. APPLICATION AND ADMISSION TO GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS.. 7 A. Application Process B. Requirements for Admission C. Types of Admission Full Graduate Standing Provisional Admission International Student Admission Visiting Scholars D. Admission Decisions E. Financial Aid Decisions F. Other Procedures and Requirements Prior to Admission Supplementary Information Form Physical Examination Evidence of Health Insurance Financial Statement II. REGISTRATION A. Registration Change Procedure (Add/Drop) B. Audit Regulations C. Pass/Fail Registration D. Withdrawals Rev. 9/2012

3 E. Registration Requirements for Maintaining Active Student Status. 18 III. GRADUATE CREDITS AND GRADING PRACTICES A. Full/Part-Time Course Load B. University Graduate Assistants and University Graduate Scholarship Recipients C. Graduate Credit in 500, 600 and 700-Level Courses D. Grading Practices E. Notes on I, F, SP, and NG Grades IV. MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS A. Program of Study B. Credit Hour Requirements C. Registration for Research Courses D. Transfer of Credits E. Minimum Academic Performance F. Candidacy G. Time Limitations H. Theses, Research Projects, and Examinations I. Graduation V. DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS A. Program of Study B. Credit Hour Requirements C. Transfer of Credits D. Minimum Academic Performance E. Residency F. Doctoral Examination G. Doctoral Dissertation Dissertation Director and Committee Final Defense of Dissertation Publication of Dissertation H. Graduation VI. SPECIAL RULES AND PROVISIONS A. Non-Discrimination B. Right to Review Records C. Grievance Procedures D. Academic Honesty E. Provisions for Dismissal F. Student Responsibility Rev. 9/2012

4 PREFACE A. Roles of the Office of the Vice President for Research and University Dean of Advanced Studies. The Office of the Graduate School at the University of Cincinnati exists to serve the needs of faculty and graduate students, and to enhance these efforts through academic leadership, administrative service, and financial support. It is headed by the Vice Provost & Dean of the Graduate School, who serves as coordinator of all graduate programs throughout the University. It is the function of the Graduate School to afford its members (students and faculty) opportunities for advanced work in their chosen fields. The All-University Graduate Faculty has the responsibility for determining educational policies and regulating the awarding of degrees. The Graduate Faculty formulates common rules of instruction throughout the various departments of study, precise manners of instruction, and individual methods for evaluating the results of examinations. B. Roles of School s Graduate Studies Committee The role of the School s Graduate Studies Committee is to serve the needs of the graduate students and faculty in the School. The Graduate Studies Committee is led by a Director who serves as coordinator of all graduate programs within the School and liaison to all graduate activities outside of the School at the College and University levels. C. Roles of Academic Advisor, Director of ME Graduate Studies, and Advisory and Examining Committee An Academic Advisor is assigned, by the Director of Graduate Studies for Mechanical Engineering (ME) in consultation with the program faculty in the student's major area of interest, to each student at the time of initial registration in the Graduate program. The Academic Advisor will be a full-time faculty member of the Mechanical Engineering Program. Appointment of an academic advisor from another program within the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) will be considered on an exception basis by petition to the ME Graduate Studies Committee. The primary responsibilities of the Academic Advisor are to assist the student in developing an acceptable Program of Study, and to select and/or act as Chairperson of the student's Advisory and Examining Committee. The authority for final approval of a student's Program of Study is vested in his/her Academic Advisor. The Academic Advisor is not necessarily the Thesis or Dissertation Director. If the Thesis or Dissertation Director is not the Academic Advisor, the Academic Advisor must approve the Thesis or Dissertation Director. The Director of Graduate Studies for Mechanical Engineering serves the ME Program, the graduate student body and the School Director. The responsibilities of the Director of Graduate Studies for ME include the following: 3 Rev. 9/2012

5 Maintaining the graduate advising system and revising the Graduate Student Guide. Coordinating the Doctoral Fundamentals Exam with the assistance of ME program faculty Coordinating the Faculty's evaluation of applications for admission to graduate study Coordinating the faculty's evaluation of applications for financial aid and assisting in the award of University Graduate Scholarships (UGS) and University Graduate Assistantships (UGA) Serving on the School's Graduate Studies Committee and working with the School Director on issues concerning ME graduate students and the ME graduate program Members of the Advisory and Examining Committee are selected and appointed by the student's Academic Advisor (in consultation with the student) at the appropriate stage of the program. The Advisory and Examining Committee consists of a minimum of three faculty members including the Academic Advisor, who acts as its Chairperson, and the Thesis or Dissertation Director (if applicable). At least 50% of the Committee must be Full-Time ME Program Faculty. One member of the Committee must be from the Graduate Faculty of the University. University rules also require that a doctoral committee include a minimum of three full-time UC faculty. The remaining member(s) may be selected from the faculties of other departments in the University, and appropriate persons (who must have an earned PhD) outside the University. The student's Thesis or Dissertation Director must be a member of the committee. This committee's responsibilities include the following: Assisting the student and Academic Advisor, if requested, in developing the student's Program of Study. Administering and evaluating the PhD student's Candidacy Examination Assisting in the evaluation of thesis/dissertation proposals and advising of thesis/dissertation work Administering and evaluating the student's Final Oral Examination Approval of Thesis or Dissertation, when applicable. 4 Rev. 9/2012

6 D. Purpose of Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering The major objective of graduate study in engineering is to better prepare for a professional career by strengthening the individual's ability to assume creative leadership in the solution of important, complex, technological problems. To accomplish this objective, the Mechanical Engineering graduate program is designed to increase the student's breadth of knowledge, to permit depth of specialization, and to provide the opportunity for theoretical and experimental research. The field of Mechanical Engineering includes widely diverse areas and is reflected by the broad responsibilities of former graduates in industry, government, and education. Therefore, graduate work in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati is characterized by breadth of study and flexibility in programs. This flexibility is structured in the graduate program with certain formal requirements at the program and departmental levels. This document has been prepared by the Graduate Studies Committee in conjunction with the Mechanical Engineering faculty for distribution to ME graduate students in the MS and PhD Degree Programs. It is applicable to both full-time and part-time students. The objective of this document is to describe the sequence of events leading to the MS and/or PhD Degree in accordance with the policies and regulations of the Mechanical Engineering Program, the School, the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), and the University of Cincinnati. In order to be as thorough and complete as possible, every attempt has been made to include all necessary information in this guide. However, students should also consult the Graduate School handbook, which gives a more general, but limited discussion of every graduate program in the University. The Graduate School handbook is available at the College of Engineering Graduate Studies Office, 665 Baldwin Hall or on-line at For additional questions, please address to: Mechanical Engineering Program College of Engineering and Applied Science, Graduate Studies Office P.O. Box Cincinnati, OH On-line: E. Areas of Specialization The selection of a student's area of specialization within the Mechanical Engineering Program usually depends on his/her previous training and choice of specialization related to career objectives. An area of specialization must be declared at the time 5 Rev. 9/2012

7 of admission. While flexibility is allowed to fit the goals and needs of the individual student, most students specialize in a specific area or combination of areas within the ME Program to enhance their career opportunities. Typical areas of specialization are vibrations, modal analysis, acoustics and noise control, dynamics and controls, numerical analysis including FEM and BEM, mechanical design, applied mechanics, biomechanics, nanotechnology, smart materials and intelligent structures, computational fluid mechanics, flow through turbo-machinery, micro-scale heat transfer, enhanced heat transfer, non-newtonian flow in heat exchangers, convection in porous media, thermal energy storage, bio-fluid mechanics, CAD/CAM, concurrent design and manufacturing, statistical data analysis, intelligent systems, machinery diagnostics and prognostics, and robotics. Most of this research is sponsored and supported by federal agencies, national laboratories and industry. For up-to-date information on the research activities, see F. Program of Study Each student is required to develop an individual Program of Study with his/her Academic Advisor. Advisor assignment is usually based on the student's plan of study and the advisor's area of specialization. Listings of "Graduate Courses for Mechanical Engineering" scheduled by semester for each year are available on-line at the following URL: Additional courses can be found on-line at the following URL: A copy of the student's Program of Study, signed by the Academic Advisor, must be placed on file in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (COE) Graduate Studies Office (665 Baldwin Hall) by the student during the first semester registered at the University. A revised copy must also be submitted at the following times: At the time when applying for financial aid (UGS) continuation in Spring Semester of each academic year. At the time of the final oral exam. G. Compliance of Guide with College and University Rules and Policies Information contained in this Guide describes rules governing the Mechanical Engineering MS and PhD degrees as established by the program; such rules are believed to be in compliance with applicable rules established by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as the Rules and Policies of the Handbook of the Graduate School, effective as of the date of publication of this document. The student is governed by applicable policies at the Program level (as described here), College level, and University level (Graduate School). The student should be aware that this document does not provide a comprehensive description of Graduate School rules and policies. Further, the student should also be aware that existing or new College or University level rules or policy changes may supersede program rules (as described in this document) without notice. For 6 Rev. 9/2012

8 additional information, the student is advised to consult with the Graduate School (110 Van Wormer), or visit the following URL: H. Appeal Procedure Any student who wishes to petition for relief from any of the regulations and policies contained in this Student Guide may do so by submitting a written statement to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Studies Director (665 Baldwin Hall). The petition will be reviewed by the School's Graduate Studies Committee and a decision will be rendered as soon as possible. 7 Rev. 9/2012

9 I. APPLICATION AND ADMISSION TO GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS A. Application Process A student applying for admission to the ME Graduate Program must submit an application form and relevant supporting documentation to the CEAS Graduate Studies Office (665 Baldwin) to be considered for (1) admission and (2) teaching assistantships, research assistantships and other forms of University and School support. (Students seeking governmental loans, work-study, and other forms of financial aid may make application to the Student Financial Aid Office, 220 University Pavilion). On-line submission of the application is now mandatory. See Questions and correspondence relating to applications for admission may be directed to the COE Graduate Studies Office. Applications to any UC graduate engineering program must be accompanied by a non-refundable $55.00 application fee (see instructions below for submission of payment). This fee is subject to change without prior notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to see that all parts of an application have arrived at UC. A letter of inquiry or a telephone call to the Graduate Studies Coordinator at (513) can provide confirmation. Application status may also be checked via the on-line application URL given above. It is the applicant's responsibility to make certain that letters of reference and transcripts are mailed (by postal mail or private carrier) to the COE Graduate Studies Office at the address given in the following section. B. Requirements for Admission Admission to the ME Graduate Program is competitive. A baccalaureate degree (usually four or more years) from a recognized engineering institution is required for admission to the ME program. A Master's Degree is a requirement for admission to the PhD program (with exceptions as noted later in this document). Because of the sequential nature of courses in the ME Graduate Program, it is strongly recommended that students begin their program in the Autumn Semester. In addition to the general university rules (physical examination, heath insurance, special requirements for international students, etc.) the ME Graduate Program requires that a student follow the procedures below: All materials should be turned into the CEAS Graduate Studies Office (665 Baldwin) unless otherwise indicated. Submit a completed "Application for Admission to Graduate Study" form, via the URL: This also serves as an application for financial aid for the first year. Submit official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate study. 8 Rev. 9/2012

10 Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably on standard forms available from the University (failure to use the standard forms will not be considered a negative factor in the evaluation of the applicant). Submit the application fee. The fee may be paid on-line using a credit card. Payment by check drawn on a bank located in the United States, or an international money order, must be sent to the address below. Graduate School (Attn: Mechanical Engineering) P.O. Box University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Complete the CEAS portion of the on-line application, indicating area(s) of specialization within Mechanical Engineering. SEND ALL INFORMATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO: College of Engineering and Applied Science Graduate Studies Office University of Cincinnati PO Box Cincinnati, OH In addition to the above items, an application is not complete until a student supplies scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as required. Requirements are as follows: In order for the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam to be waived, students must graduate with a four-year bachelor s degree from an ABET accredited undergraduate engineering program (Mechanical Engineering or equivalent), from an institution located in the United States, with a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 GPA, or equivalent. All students not graduating from an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited undergraduate engineering program located in the Unites States are required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Guidelines regarding acceptable scores for admission can be obtained by inquiry to the Graduate Studies Director. All students, originating from countries where English is not one of the official national languages, are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score guidelines can be obtained by consulting the graduate director. 9 Rev. 9/2012

11 The application must demonstrate the student's ability to satisfactorily pursue graduate work. However, other accomplishments, letters of recommendation, reputation of the undergraduate university, and test scores (such as GRE) are all considered. All applications will be reviewed by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the ME program faculty in the student's indicated area of interest. C. Types of Admission 1. Full Graduate Standing For admission to full graduate standing in the Mechanical Engineering Program at the University of Cincinnati, a student must have a bachelor's degree from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency (except students enrolled in the University of Cincinnati Mechanical Engineering BSME/MSME ACCEND program as noted below). In the United States, this is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The applicant should have at least a "B" grade point average (3.0/4.0 or better) in undergraduate coursework or otherwise give evidence of academic potential (such as outstanding GRE scores). Applicants from outside the United States should report aggregate marks or grades in the marking system within which the grades were given (i.e., no conversion). Students who are enrolled and in good academic standing in the BSME/MSME ACCelerated ENgineering Degree Program (ACCEND) at the University of Cincinnati will be admitted to full graduate standing in the Mechanical Program during their Senior year as part of the ACCEND program requirement. Judgments concerning admission or denial to particular degree programs and the criteria used for determining admission are initiated in the Graduate School and the School of Dynamic Systems. These criteria and judgments vary according to programs, departments and schools, and reflect not only estimates of the ability of students to do graduate work but also the ability of the school to support (financially, academic advising, etc.) additional graduate students. Achievement of specified minimum scores on standardized tests is not sufficient to ensure admission. The ME program faculty may change these criteria in order to improve the quality of the ME Graduate Program. 2. Provisional Admission 10 Rev. 9/2012

12 Provisional admission may be granted to MS applicants who are deficient in undergraduate course work considered essential for graduate study. Coursework, without graduate credit, will be required of provisionally admitted students to make up such deficiencies before admission to full graduate standing can be granted. Applicants admitted under the provisional admission status are not eligible for a University Graduate Scholarship (UGS) or a University Graduate Assistantship (UGA) until completion of the provisional requirements. International students are not eligible for provisional admission. Also, PhD applicants are not eligible for provisional admission. Graduates of non-accredited institutions or those with a BS degree in a discipline other than ME may be granted provisional admission when their academic records warrant this status. Additional coursework will be required of such students when deficiencies in their previous training are apparent. Graduates of accredited institutions whose scholastic records are below the standards for admission to full graduate standing may be admitted provisionally when extenuating circumstances can be shown to have affected their undergraduate grade point averages or when progressive improvement in their undergraduate programs warrants provisional admission. Graduate students may attain full graduate standing when the deficiencies responsible for their provisional status are corrected. They must also maintain a satisfactory (3.0/4.0 or better) academic record in all coursework taken as part of their graduate programs. Change from provisional to full graduate standing is affected, generally, by the Director of Graduate Studies in concert with the student's Academic Advisor. Graduate students, admitted on a provisional basis, must meet with their Academic Advisor to determine the specific deficiencies in their academic program that must be corrected. The Academic Advisor must submit a Provisional Admission Program of Study Form summarizing the coursework required to correct the deficiencies to the CEAS Graduate Studies Office (665 Baldwin Hall) for placement in the student's academic file. This Provisional Admission Program of Study must also be approved by the ME Graduate Studies Director. As a minimum guideline, a graduate student admitted on provisional basis, must complete courses in the following areas, and pass each course with a grade of B or better. First, students admitted on a provisional basis must have previously completed the following (or equivalent): Calculus (three semesters) (MATH-2952, 2953, 2961 or equivalent) 11 Rev. 9/2012

13 Differential Equations (one semester) (MATH-2073 or equivalent) Mechanics I and II (one semester Statics, one semester Dynamics) (AEEM-1001, 2032 or equivalent) General Physics (two semesters) (PHYS-2001, 2002 or equivalent) Secondly, students admitted on a provisional basis who do not have the equivalent to the following will be required to take the following courses as part of their program, without graduate credit, and must pass each course with a grade of B or better. Dynamics (AEEM-2032 or equivalent), or Kinematics of Machines (MECH-2021 or equivalent) Solid Mechanics (MECH-2030 or equivalent) Manufacturing Processes I (MECH-2060 or equivalent) Thermodynamics (MECH-2010 or equivalent) Fluid Mechanics (MECH-3011 or equivalent) Statistics for Mechanical Engineers (MECH-4043 or equivalent) Basic Electric Circuit Analysis (EECE-3071 or equivalent) Machine Analysis and Design (MECH-3022 or equivalent) Heat Transfer (MECH-4012 or equivalent) Signals, Systems and Controls (MECH-4081 or equivalent) Once a student has chosen a specific specialization the student may be required to take additional prerequisites in that area. This is done on an individual basis, so no standard exists. Students provisionally admitted to graduate study are not eligible for UGA or UGS awards administered through the School of Dynamic Systems and Graduate School until such time that the student achieves full graduate standing. Promotion to full standing is authorized by petition to the ME Graduate Studies Committee. 3. International Student Admissions No international student will be granted admission on any basis other than full graduate standing. Before their admission to the University is complete, all international students must fulfill U.S. Immigration Service requirements and register with the International Services Office. All international students are required to carry the specified health and accident insurance. An annual fee (reflecting the number of accompanying dependents) will be assessed at the first registration period of each year to 12 Rev. 9/2012

14 meet the cost of this insurance for the subsequent twelve months. For matters concerning visas, International students must contact: International Student Services Office PO Box University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH On-line: International students must be full-time graduate students (defined as registered for 15 graduate credits each semester) except during Summer. Students who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree and who are finishing a thesis or dissertation may be eligible to register with a reduced credit hour load (currently one credit hour per semester, except Summer). Consult the International Student Services Office at 3134 Edwards One or on-line at for applicable forms and further details. 4. Visiting Scholars Visiting Scholars are permitted in the School for the purpose of specialized study not pursuant to a graduate degree. International visiting scholars must contact the International Services Office for visa information. Visa and other requirements may be different than those for other students. In any case, a visiting scholar can not work within the Mechanical Engineering Program without written permission from the School Director and a sponsoring faculty member. Visiting scholars are not considered degree students and are not admitted to the graduate program. Because changing status from a visiting scholar to a graduate student is very difficult, a potential student should give careful consideration before becoming a visiting scholar. Student status is usually preferable. D. Admission Decisions Admission to the ME Graduate Program at UC is competitive. The ME Graduate Program has higher admission standards than the minimum admission requirements of the Graduate School. It is the responsibility of the ME Director of Graduate Studies to notify all applicants of acceptance or rejection through the College of Engineering and Applied Science(CEAS) Graduate Admission office. Admission Decisions are made on or about April 15 of each year. E. Financial Aid Decisions 13 Rev. 9/2012

15 A limited number of University Graduate Scholarships (UGS) (tuition less general fee) and University Graduate Assistantships (UGA) (tuition plus a competitive monthly stipend, currently approximately $1833 per month) are allotted to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program each year. UGA awardees are normally assigned as Teaching Assistants to support undergraduate and/or graduate classroom instruction. Applicants should be aware that only a small percentage of full-time graduate students will receive a UGA. University Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships are normally awarded for up to one academic year at a time. Applications for renewal of such financial aid are required each year. Notification of the requirement to apply for financial aid will be sent by the CEAS Graduate Studies Office to the student s on file during the Winter Semester. On-line submission of the CEAS financial aid application is now mandatory. The applicable URL which must be used to complete the on-line CEAS financial aid application will be included in the notification . Applications must be received by the CEAS Graduate Studies Office (665 Baldwin Hall) by April 15 or the currently announced date if aid is desired for the following academic year. A revised Program of Study, signed by the student s academic advisor, must also be submitted at this time. Initial offers of financial aid will be released to students on or about June 1. Note that this date is subject to change from year to year. The CEAS financial aid application and its associated timetable pertain to the University Graduate Scholarship (UGS) awards. University Graduate Assistantship (UGA) awards are granted at the school level, based upon a review conducted by the School s Graduate Studies Committee. The timetable for UGA awards may differ from that of the COE UGS awards. It is the policy of the Graduate Studies Committee that all continuing full-time graduate students in Mechanical Engineering who apply for continuation of UGS support will simultaneously be considered for a UGA award. Recipients of University Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships must register as full-time students and carry a minimum of 15 graduate credit hours each semester. Financial aid can also be received by a student working as a Research Assistant under a research grant or contract held by a faculty member. The Graduate Studies Committee is not involved with these research efforts directed by individual faculty members, and students should contact appropriate faculty members in their areas of interest in this regard. Financial aid awards regarding University Graduate Scholarships (UGS) and University Graduate Assistantships (UGA), are decided by the Graduate Studies Committee and School director. Research Assistantships are awarded by individual faculty in the school based upon active contracts or grants. 14 Rev. 9/2012

16 Partial guidelines for the awarding of UGS and UGA are as follows: Only those students applying for a UGS/UGA within the posted deadlines will be considered for a UGS/UGA. Students graduating from an ABET accredited ME undergraduate program (BSME) and students graduating from graduate ME programs at ABET accredited institutions, along with all students who are in the ME program in the School, will be considered for a UGS/UGA on a priority basis. Within this group, residents of the State of Ohio, will be considered first. All other students will be considered for a UGS/UGA on a secondary basis. Financial Aid Limitations Students in the Master of Science program in ME will be considered for a maximum of three (3) semesters of UGS from the ME Graduate Program allotment. If a student wishes to pursue a PhD degree and attempts the ME PhD Fundamentals Exam, this may be extended (see Section V. Doctoral Degree Programs, Subsection F. Doctoral Examination). Students in the Doctor of Philosophy program in ME will be considered for a maximum of four (4) additional semesters of UGS from the ME Graduate Program allotment. Additional semesters of UGS award will be considered on a need basis if necessary to complete credit hour requirements for the degree. Students exceeding 175 semester hours of graduate work (including both MS and PhD program) will not be considered for further financial aid per University policy. Students who receive financial aid for one or more semesters are not guaranteed financial aid in future semesters. Financial aid is limited. Students entering the thesis or dissertation stage of their graduate program are encouraged to pursue financial support from grants and contracts managed by their Thesis or Dissertation Director. Only full-time students in the MS (with Thesis) or Ph.D. programs are eligible to apply for UGS support. Financial Aid Requirements Students receiving UGA support from the Program must be registered for 15 graduate credit hours each semester. 15 Rev. 9/2012

17 F. Other Procedures and Requirements Prior to Admission 1. Supplementary Information Form The Supplementary Information Form must be completed prior to registration by the following individuals: New students entering the University Students not enrolled the previous academic year Students who have earned their BS Degree at UC and are admitted to the MS Program Students who have earned their Master's Degree at UC and are admitted to the PhD program 2. Physical Examination A physical examination is required of each applicant. A Tuberculin Tine Test or chest x-ray is required within three months of registration. 3. Evidence of Health Insurance The University requires health insurance of all full-time graduate students and offers a health insurance option at the time of registration. If a student elects to find alternative health insurance, or is covered by another policy, this should be indicated on the appropriate registration form. Evidence of alternative health insurance must be provided by the student. 4. Financial Statement International students are required to submit a financial statement to show evidence of financial support in order to obtain a student visa. (Equivalent of one year of support is required for MS applicants, two years for PhD applicants.) For more information, see ISSO web site: 16 Rev. 9/2012

18 II. REGISTRATION Students pursuing a full-time program of graduate study should register for a minimum of 15 graduate credit hours each semester (15 minimum, 18 maximum). General registration information is given in the Graduate School handbook, and details and forms can be obtained at the University Registration Office (220 University Pavilion or online at The URL should be consulted regarding announcements of specific registration dates and procedures. Prior to first registration at a newly matriculated student should check in and consult with the CEAS Graduate Studies Office in 665 Baldwin Hall in order to receive further instructions. Subsequently, the student should meet with his/her academic advisor to discuss course selection and to develop the Program of Study. The course schedule for the initial semester, as well as all subsequent semesters, must be approved by the student's Academic Advisor prior to registration. The student should also provide the Graduate Studies Coordinator (665 Baldwin Hall) with a local address the first semester and any changes thereafter, so that the school can contact the student if needed. The student must also report his/her address to the COE graduate studies distribution list server at listserv.uc.edu (select the CEAS-ME-MS or CEAS-ME-PHD group), as well as to the University Registrar at It is essential that the student maintain current contact information and check his/her on a regular basis, as all essential correspondence related to graduate studies is now handled electronically. Pre-Registration Procedures and Requirements The Supplementary Information Form must be completed by all graduate students prior to their first graduate registration. Students who have previously completed this form for a previous degree (undergraduate or Master's) must complete a new Supplementary Information Form. All students should place the school code number on the "Program Major" line of this form (ME-008 along with the name of their major). If a student has previously been registered in another department at UC he/she should write "DEPARTMENT CHANGE" across the top of this form. Problems with registration, financial aid, and grade reports are often traced to program major errors in the university computer data base. Full-time graduate student status requires at least 15 graduate credits, exclusive of audit. Students receiving University Graduate Scholarships (UGS) and University Graduate Assistantships (UGA) require at least 15 graduate credits. International students must be in a full-time status, although they may register for fewer than 15 credit hours once they have completed all credit hour requirements for the degree and are completing a thesis or dissertation. The Reduced Credit Hour Load form must be submitted. Contact the International Services staff at for further details and associated forms. 17 Rev. 9/2012

19 Normally 6000 level courses (e.g., MECH-6xxx) are considered dual-level in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Graduate credit is granted for dual level and graduate (7000 level and above) coursework. Graduate credit is not given for 5000 or below level engineering courses. However, some 5000 level courses taken in other departments at the University (e.g., Math) may qualify for graduate credit subject to the approvals by the Academic Advisor and Graduate Studies Director. The ME graduate student must specify graduate credit when registering or graduate credit will not be given. Dual level (undergraduate/graduate) courses may require additional work for graduate credit. A. Registration Change Procedure (Add/Drop) Web registration via is open for electronic Add/Drop through the first week of every semester (check posted schedules for exact dates). Courses may be dropped on-line through the last day to withdraw, as designated by the Registrar. Courses may be dropped without entry to the academic record until the date designated as such, normally within the first three weeks of the semester; after this date, the course will be graded W or F, at the discretion of the instructor. (See also Section D, Withdrawals, below.) Refer to for specific dates in the current semester. No class can be dropped after the eighth Friday of the semester. A student may be withdrawn by the instructor at any time in the semester when excessive absences have been incurred. A student must finish at least 15 graduate credits in a semester to be considered full time. A student receiving a UGS or UGA must finish at least 15 graduate credits in a semester. B. Audit Regulations Admissions and conditions for participation in audit courses are at the discretion of the instructor, who is not obligated to accept a student for audit. Audit hours do not count toward the 175-graduate credit limit for university-funded financial aid, and they do not count toward full-time status. However, audit credits do count for tuition purposes. Hence, a student on a UGS or UGA appointment must be registered for at least 15 credits of graduate courses exclusive of audit, but will be assessed for any total credits which run over 18. A course instructor has the right to assign an "F" (failure) or "W" (withdrawal) grade to an audit student if the student fails to meet the requirements set forth by the instructor for auditing the course. C. Pass/Fail Registration Only Topics, Thesis, or Dissertation courses may be taken and/or graded on a pass/fail basis. 18 Rev. 9/2012

20 D. Withdrawals A student may drop a course by Saturday of the third week of classes with no academic penalty. From the fourth through the eighth week, a student may drop with a grade of either "W" or "F" to be assigned at the discretion of the instructor. After Saturday of the eighth week, no withdrawal will be approved, except for reasons beyond the control of the student, such as sickness or accident. The Graduate School along with the student's ad hoc committee judges the advisability of such exceptions. All withdrawals must be made through the CEAS Graduate Studies Office (665 Baldwin Hall) either in person or by letter. A student may be withdrawn by the instructor at any time in the semester when excessive absences have been incurred. A student withdrawn because of excessive absences is not eligible for academic credit, refund, of fees, or reinstatement as an auditor in that course. Official dropping from individual courses or completely withdrawing from the University must be initiated by the student in writing through the Graduate Studies Office. The withdrawal date to be used in determining refund eligibility shall be the date the official request is submitted for approval to the Graduate Studies Office. Please consult Learning Opportunities for current Add/Drop and Refund Procedures. Questions concerning interpretation of the regulations governing refund of student fees should be referred to the Registrar. E. Registration Requirements for Maintaining Active Student Status Maintaining active student status for US citizens and permanent residents requires registering for at least 1-credit hour during Autumn Semester of each year. If your active status has lapsed (12 consecutive months of nonregistration), you will be required to submit a petition for reinstatement and will have to pay a substantial penalty. After 36 months, you will have to reapply and pay an even higher penalty. All international students must remain full-time to maintain their visa status. Full-time status requires 15 credit hours (except summer). However, after completion of all credit hour requirements for the degree, international students can currently register for one credit hour each semester (except summer) and be considered full-time, provided they submit a Course Reduction form. Certain exceptions may also apply. Consult regularly with ISSO ( Edwards Center or on-line at for applicable forms as well as policy changes. 19 Rev. 9/2012

21 III. GRADUATE CREDITS AND GRADING PRACTICES A. Full/Part-Time Course Load Students enrolled in a full-time program of graduate study must be registered for 15 or more graduate credits each semester. Students with outside work, or those who for other reasons devote less than full time to graduate study, may be allowed to register on a part-time basis. Part-time graduate students are not eligible for UGS or UGA awards. International students, under the terms of their visas, must be enrolled as full-time students. B. University Graduate Assistantship (UGA) and University Graduate Scholarship (UGS) Recipients Students receiving financial aid from the ME Graduate Program, either a UGS or UGA, must be registered for 15 graduate hours each semester. C. Graduate Credit in 5000, 6000 and 7000-Level Courses A graduate student who is registered in 5000, 6000 or 7000-level courses carrying both undergraduate and graduate credit may be required to complete a certain amount of academic work in addition to that required of undergraduates in the same course. The extra work may consist of reading and reviewing additional books, presenting reports, or doing such supplementary work as the instructor in charge of the course deems advisable. Students may not receive graduate credit for a 5000 level or below engineering course (xxxx-5xxx). D. Grading Practices At the end of each semester the Office of Student Records mails to each student an official report of academic achievement. Reports are rendered in the form of grades which should be interpreted as follows: Grade Description Quality Points A Excellent 4.00 A B+ Good 3.33 B 3.00 B C+ Satisfactory 2.33 C 2.00 F Failure 0.00 P Pass N/A U Unsatisfactory N/A T Audit N/A 20 Rev. 9/2012

22 Grade Description Quality Points I Incomplete 0.00* I/F* Failure 0.00 W Withdrawal (official) N/A SP** In Progress N/A blank*** No Grade Reported N/A (See Instructor) * If the I remains on student s record at the end of one (1) year after the semester has ended, the I will change to the I/F (Failure). ** The SP is used only for those courses approved by College committees to have an extended grading period beyond the normal semester ending, due to the nature of the material covered in the courses. *** Rather than leaving a grade blank, an administrative NG mark will be recorded on grade reports and transcripts. E. Notes on I, F, SP, and NG Grades Students are not allowed to graduate with I or F grades on their transcript unless the grade is remedied. An I grade automatically changes to an F, if not changed within a year and cannot subsequently be changed. Any course in which an F is received must be repeated. Grade replacement is not offered at the graduate level, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. All research courses (MECH-9010 Thesis, MECH-9020 Research, and MECH-9030 PhD Dissertation) are normally graded SP until the research work is completed. In order to graduate, the following SP grades must be changed: The grade in the last semester the research course was taken. Excess hours will remain on the transcript with the grade SP. Any course graded NG must also have a satisfactory grade prior to graduation. 21 Rev. 9/2012

23 IV. MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM A. Program of Study The general policy of the School is to permit flexibility in the Program of Study according to the individual objectives and career planning of the student. However, final authority for a student's program of study is vested in the student's Academic Advisor. The Academic Advisor must be a member of the ME Program Faculty (exceptions to allow other engineering faculty to serve in this capacity will be considered by petition to the School s Graduate Studies Committee). It is the responsibility of the student to consult his/her Academic Advisor and to formulate a Program of Study as soon as he/she enters the MS Degree program. A Program of Study form should be completed in triplicate in order to record the study plan. The Advisor will keep one copy, and the student should retain a signed copy as his/her assurance of an approved Program of Study. The third copy should be given or sent to the Graduate Studies Coordinator (665 Baldwin). The Program of Study forms are available on-line at the following URL: The Program of Study should be completed by the end of the second week of the first semester of study. Revisions of a student's program of study are to be expected; however, revisions should be recorded by preparing revised Program of Study forms. In the case of Provisional Admission, for example if a student does not have an undergraduate degree in the field of Mechanical Engineering, the ME Graduate Studies Committee will require prerequisite or collateral undergraduate coursework in addition to the minimum graduate credits required for the MS Degree. (Such requirements are normally stipulated at the time provisional admission is granted.) The student should consult with his/her academic advisor to ensure that such requirements are completed. The required courses should be included in the students Provisional Admission Program of Study form (see Section l.c.2 for further details). A student may select courses outside of the Program, the School and/or the College of Engineering and Applied Science with the approval of his/her Academic Advisor. Individual study or projects can be accommodated by registration for Topics in Mechanical Engineering (MECH-9021). However, it is the student's responsibility to arrange for faculty supervision and to obtain the consent of the Academic Advisor prior to registering for Topics. A Program of Study can be interdepartmental and interdisciplinary. However, in such cases the Academic Advisor may wish to select and consult with the student's Advisory and Examining Committee during the development of the student's Program of Study. The School does not provide financial aid for students not enrolled in the School. 22 Rev. 9/2012

24 B. Credit Hour Requirements The Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program offers both a thesis and non-thesis program of study for the MS Degree, with exceptions as noted below. The MS Degree program includes the following specific requirements: (Thesis Option) The Thesis Option is REQUIRED for students who are newly matriculated into the MS program on or after September 1, 2008 (08A) who, at any time during the course of their enrollment in the program, receive a University Graduate Scholarship (UGS). A minimum of 30 graduate credit semester hours are required. This may include up to 12 credit hours for research courses (which must include a minimum of six (6) credit hours of MECH-9010 Thesis and the balance of which may be comprised of MECH-9020 Research). A minimum of 18 graduate semester credit hours must be classroom work; i.e., academic work other than Thesis (MECH-9010), Research (MECH-9020), Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (MECH- 9021), or Graduate Seminar (MECH-9022). The 18 hour classroom total must include: o A minimum of 12 credit hours of mechanical engineering graduate courses (MECH-xxxx or EGFD-xxxx). o A minimum of three (3) graduate semester credit hours of study in advanced mathematics beyond an introductory course in ordinary differential equations. Courses not taken from the Mathematics Department must be approved by the Academic Advisor to apply to this category. This can be done as part of the Program of Study approval. An oral thesis defense during the final semester of the study is required. (Non-Thesis Option) The Non-Thesis option is NOT AVAILABLE for students who are newly matriculated into the MS program on or after September 1, 2008 (08A) who, at any time during the course of their enrollment in the program, receive a University Graduate Scholarship (UGS). A minimum 30 graduate semester credit hours that may include up to 3 credit hours for Research (MECH-9020) or Topics in Mechanical Engineering (MECH-9021) are required; therefore a minimum of 27 graduate semester 23 Rev. 9/2012

25 credit hours must be classroom work, i.e., academic work other than Thesis (MECH-9010), Research (MECH-9020), Topics in Mechanical Engineering (MECH-9021), or Seminar (MECH-9022). Students selecting the non-thesis option should not register for Thesis (MECH-9010) at any time. Of the minimum 27 semester hours of classroom work, a minimum of 18 hours must be in Mechanical Engineering courses (MECH-xxxx or EGFDxxxx). Of the minimum 27 semester hours of classroom work, in addition to the above requirement, a minimum of 6 graduate semester credit hours of study in advanced mathematics are required. Courses not taken from the Mathematics Department must be approved by the Academic Advisor to apply to this category. This can be done as part of the Program of Study approval. A Final Oral Examination, administered by the student's Advisory and Examining committee, is normally required; additional requirements governing the formation of the committee are described in Section H. In exceptional cases, eligible non-thesis students may appeal for an alternate format for the final examination by petition to the school Graduate Studies Committee. Any approved alternate format must be in compliance with applicable Graduate School rules regarding the MS degree. The following specific requirements have to be satisfied: Exclusive of seminar, topics, Research, and Thesis grades, the quality point average (QPA) for grades received in all other courses must not be less than 3.0 (B average). In addition, a student's QPA for all credits in his/her Program of Study must not be less than 3.0. If a student's QPA falls below 3.0, dismissal from the program may result. Any student admitted to the direct-admit PhD program (who does not possess an MS degree, or equivalent) is required to complete all MS degree requirements, as stated here, while enrolled in the program, as a prerequisite to the PhD degree requirements as given in the following section. Full-time traditional students are required to register for the ME Graduate Seminar (MECH-9022). Registration is required during all semesters in which the student maintains full-time status. Non-traditional students (parttime and GE students) are encouraged, but not required to participate. Consult the School seminar URL at for the seminar schedule and other pertinent information. ME Graduate Seminar (MECH- 24 Rev. 9/2012